Houston County Courthouse, two businesses locked down over threats of violence

CALEDONIA, Minn. (WKBT) — The Houston County Courthouse and two Caledonia businesses were locked down for more than an hour Thursday afternoon because of threats of violence.
A court administration employee reported to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office at about 1:10 p.m. that he had received a call from an agitated male who stated he was going to come to the courthouse, shoot a member of the county attorney’s office and blow up the courthouse.
Sheriff’s office staffers were able to identify a suspect shortly after the initial threat, according to a news release. Shortly after the initial threat, two Caledonia businesses received phone calls from the same suspect indicating threats of violence at their businesses, according to the release.
Deputies discovered later that the same suspect had left a voicemail at another county office threatening violence.
The courthouse campus and the businesses were locked down for more than an hour, the release said.

The investigation is ongoing and felony-level charges are expected, according to the sheriff’s office.

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